Brush block retractor and alignment device

ABSTRACT

A device for retracting and aligning the brush members of a brush block assembly with respect to a slipring assembly, wherein a cylindrical member provided between the brush lock assembly and the slipring assembly has a plurality of slots for receiving the brush members, and an arcuate groove registering with each slot. The cylindrical member is rotatable with respect to the brush block assembly so that each brush member can be transferred into said groove to uniformly retract the brush members.

United States Patent Ralph J. Pral Wayne, NJ.;

Georg Olsen, Staten Island, N.Y. 859,060

Sept. 18, 1969 Aug. 24, 1971 Singer-General Precision, Inc. LittleFalls, NJ.

inventors App]. No. Filed Patented Assignee BRUSH BLOCK RETRACT OR ANDALIGNMENT DEVICE 6 Claims, 6 Drawhg Figs.

u.s.c1 339/5 Field 61m 339/5, 8; 310/240, 242

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,581,266 1/1952 Lum 339/52,766,625 10/1956 Swanson... 339/8 3,185,951 5/1965 Le Beau 339/5Primary Examiner-Richard E. Moore AnorneysS. A. Giarratana and S. M.Bender ABSTRACT: A device for retracting and aligning the brush membersof a brush block assembly with respect to a slipring assembly, wherein acylindrical member provided between the brush lock assembly and theslipring assembly has a plurality of slots for receiving the brushmembers, and an arcuate groove registering with each slot. Thecylindrical member is rotatable with respect to the brush block assemblyso that each brush member can be transferred into said groove touniformly retract the brush members.

BRUSH BLOCK RETRACTOR AND ALIGNMENT DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to a brush block retractor and alignment device,and, more particularly, to such a device for insuring correct radial andlongitudinal alignment of a series of brush members mounted on a brushblock assembly.

There are many environments in which a plurality of electrical circuitsmust be maintained between a rotating member and a fixed member. Forexample, in the use of generators, acceleromcters, gyros, pulse loops,encoders, etc., a rotatable slipring assembly is often provided whichhas a series of grooves or the like formed therein for receiving aseries of brushes, with each groove of the slipring and each brushmember being connected within an electrical circuit. With the increasingemphasis on microcircuits, and the like, it has been extremely difficultto service the slipring assembly and/or brush block assembly due to thefact that once the brushes are in engagement with the grooves of theslipring assembly, it is extremely difficult to retract the brushes topermit removal of the slipring assembly for servicing and replacement,while still maintaining their original alignment.

According to the present methods of separating the slipring assemblyfrom the brush block assembly, the brush members must be physicallydisplaced by using an external tool while, after reassembly, theposition of each brush member is visually observed through a boroscope,or the like, to ascertain its position. Any misaligned brush membersmust then be repositioned with a tweezerlike tool. In addition to thisoperation being extremely difficult, the brush members are easilydamaged by the tools, and the displacement of the brush members is notcontrolled, often resulting in overstressed brush members and fatiguefailure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the presentinvention to provide a device which permits the brush members to beeasily retracted without any danger of misalignment or failure of thebrush members, while eliminating the need for visual observation andexternal tools.

Briefly summarized, the device of the present invention comprises acylindrical member disposed between a brush block assembly and aslipring assembly, said cylindrical member having a plurality of slotsformed therethrough for receiving the brush members, and a grooveregistering with each slot, said cylindrical member being rotatable withrespect to said brush block assembly to a position whereby each brushmember is transferred into said groove, to uniformly retract said brushmembers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Reference is now made to theaccompanying drawings for a better understanding of the nature andobjects of the present invention. The drawings illustrate the best modepresently contemplated for carrying out the objects of the invention andare not to be construed as restrictions or limitations on its scope. Inthe drawings:

FIG. I is a perspective view of the device of the present inventionshown in use with a brush block and slipring assembly;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the cylindrical member ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a crosssectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the slipring assembly;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4; andv FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS tion, a flattened top, and twoelongated side windows. A tubular cam member 12 is disposed in thehollow portion of the brush block assembly and extends for thelongitudinal length thereof. A tubular slipring assembly 14 extendswithin the hollow portion of the cam member 12, for thelongitudinallength thereof. The slipring assembly is mounted in a knownmanner for high-speed rotation while the cam member may be rotated atleast a limited distance with respect to the brush block assembly.

Two rows of brush members 16 are fixed within holes in the brush blockassembly 10 with one end portion of each brush member extending into thehollow portion of the brush block assembly, and the other end portionextending outwardly from the top flattened portion thereof. The portionof each of the brush members 16 extending within the hollow portion ofthe brush block assembly engages the slipring assembly to permit one ormore electrical circuits to be completed during rotation of the slipringassembly.

The cam member 12, shown in detail in FIG. 2 and in cross section inFIG. 3, has an outside diameter slightly less than the inside diameterof the brush block assembly and a plurality of axially spaced arcuateslots 18 formed therein which extend for approximately 45 and arealternately spaced apart. A plurality of arcuate grooves 20 are alsoformed in the outer surface of the cam member, and, as better shown inFIG. 3, each groove 20 extends for approximately 45 and registers with acorresponding slot 18. The grooves are also alternately spaced 180apart, and the leading end of each groove has a smoothly tapered surface22, for reasons that will be explained in detail later.

The slipring assembly 14, shown in detail in FIGS. 4 and 5, has aplurality of grooves 24 formed in the outer surface thereof, the floorof each groove having a substantially V- shape cross section. Also shownin these figures are the brush members 16 lying in every other groove onopposite sides of the slipring assembly, and an electrical conductor 26electrically connected'to each of the grooves, with the conductors allextending through the slipring shaft to an external point.

The assembled components are shown in cross section in FIG. 6 with abrush member 16 being shown connected to an electrical conductor 28, andextending through the upper portion of the brush block assembly into aslot 18 formed in the cam member 12, and in a groove 24 formed in theslipring assembly 14.

In the event it is desired to separate the slipring assembly from thebrush block assembly, the cam member 12 can merely be rotated in thedirection indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 6; so that the taperedsurface 22- at the leading edge of the groove 20 of the cam memberengages and then forces its respective brush member 16 radiallyoutwardly a controlled, uniform distance with respect to the slipringassembly, to permit separation of the two assemblies while maintainingan axial alignment of the brush members. After the assemblies It isunderstood that variations may be made in the above,

without departing from the invention. For example, the cam member may bea duel type permitting operation with a twobrush circuit arrangement.Also, the brush block assembly may be rotatable with respect to theslipring assembly.

Further, a single row of brush members may extend outwardly from the topand bottom of the brush block. Of course, other variations of thespecific construction and arrangement of the brush block retractor andalignment device disclosed above can be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A device for retracting and aligning the brush members of a brushblock assembly with respect to a slipring assembly, said devicecomprising a cylindrical member disposed between said brush blockassembly and said slipring assembly, said cylindrical member having aplurality of slots formed therethrough for receiving said brush members,and a groove registering with each slot, said cylindrical member beingrotatable with respect to said brush block assembly to a positionwhereby each brush member is transferred to said groove to uniformlyretract said brush members from said slipring assembly, wherein theleading end of each groove is tapered so as to permit a gradualretraction of said brush members.

2. A device for retracting and aligning the brush members of a brushblock assembly with respect to a slipring assembly, said devicecomprising a cylindrical member disposed between said brush blockassembly and said slipring assembly, said cylindrical member having aplurality of slots formed therethrough for receiving said brush membersand a groove registering with each slot, said cylindrical member beingrotatable with respect to said brush block assembly to a positionwhereby each brush member is transferred into said groove to uniformlyretract said brush members from said slipring assembly, wherein thereare two rows of brush members mounted with respect to said brush blockassembly, and wherein said slots in said cylindrical member arealternately formed in a diametrically opposite position along saidcylindrical member.

3. A device for retracting and aligning the brush members of a brushblock assembly with respect to a slipring assembly, said devicecomprising a cylindrical member disposed between said brush blockassembly and said slipring assembly, said cylindrical member having aplurality of slots formed therethrough for receiving said brush members,and a groove registering with each slot, said cylindrical member beingrotatable with respect to said brush block assembly to a positionwhereby each brush member is transferred into said groove to uniformlyretract said brush members from said slipring assembly, wherein saidslots and said grooves are arcuate, and wherein said grooves are formedin the outer surface of said cylindrical member.

4. Apparatus for transferring electrical current comprising a brushblock assembly; a plurality of brush members mounted with respect tosaid brush block assembly; a slipring assembly adapted to rotate withrespect to said brush block assembly in engagement with said brushmembers, said brush block assembly and said slipring assembly adapted tobe connected within a plurality of electric circuits and a cylindricalmember disposed between said brush block assembly and said slipringassembly, said cylindrical member having a plurality of slots formedtherethrough for receiving said brush members, and a groove registeringwith each slot, said cylindrical member being rotatable with respect tosaid brush block assembly to a position whereby each member istransferred into said groove to uniformlyretract said brush membersfromsaid slipring assembly, wherein the leading end of each groove istapered so as to permit a gradual retraction of said brush members.

5. Apparatus for transferring electrical current comprising a brushblock assembly; a plurality of brush members mounted with respect tosaid brush block assembly; a slipring assembly adapted to rotate withrespect to said brush block assembly in engagement with said brushmembers, said brush block assembly and said slipring assembly adapted tobe connected within a plurality of electrical circuits; and acylindrical member disposed between said brush block assembly and saidslipring assembly, said cylindrical member having a pllurality of slotsformed therethrough for receiving said rus members, and a grooveregistering with each slot, said cylindrical member being rotatable withrespect to said brush block assembly to a position whereby each brushmember is transferred into said groove to uniformly retract said brushmembers from said slipring assembly, wherein there are two rows of brushmembers mounted with respect to said brush block assembly, and whereinsaid slots in said cylindrical member are alternately formed in adiametrically opposite position along said cylindrical member.

6. Apparatus for transferring electrical current comprising a brushblock assembly; a plurality of brush members mounted with respect tosaid brush block assembly; a slipring assembly adapted to rotate withrespect to said brush block assembly in engagement with said brushmembers, said brush block assembly and said slipring assembly adapted tobe connected within a plurality of electrical circuits; and acylindrical member disposed between said brush block assembly and saidslipring assembly said cylindrical member having a plurality of slotsformed therethrough for receiving said brush members, and a grooveregistering with each slot, said cylindrical member being rotatable withrespect to said brush block assembly to a position whereby each brushmember is transferred into said groove to uniformly retract said brushmembers from said slipring assembly, wherein said slots and said groovesare arcuate, and wherein said grooves are formed in the outer surface ofsaid cylindrical member.

1. A device for retracting and aligning the brush members of a brushblock assembly with respect to a slipring assembly, said devicecomprising a cylindrical member disposed between said brush blockassembly and said slipring assembly, said cylindrical member having aplurality of slots formed therethrough for receiving said brush members,and a groove registering with each slot, said cylindrical member beingrotatable with respect to said brush block assembly to a positionwhereby each brush member is transferred to said groove to uniformlyretract said brush members from said slipring assembly, wherein theleading end of each groove is tapered so as to permit a gradualretraction of said brush members.
 2. A device for retracting andaligning the brush members of a brush block assembly with respect to aslipring assembly, said device comprising a cylindrical member disposedbetween said brush block assembly and said slipring assembly, saidcylindrical member having a plurality of slots formed therethrough forreceiving said brush members and a groove registering with each slot,said cylindrical member being rotatable with respect to said brush blockassembly to a position whereby each brush member is transferred intosaid groove to uniformly retract said brush members from said slipringassembly, wherein there are two rows of brush members mounted withrespect to said brush block assembly, and wherein said slots in saidcylindrical member are alternately formed in a diametrically oppositeposition along said cylindrical member.
 3. A device for retracting andaligning the brush members of a brush block assembly with respect to aslipring assembly, said device comprising a cylindrical member disposedbetween said brush block assembly and said slipring assembly, saidcylindrical member having a plurality of slots formed therethrough forreceiving said brush members, and a groove registering with each slot,said cylindrical member being rotatable with respect to said brush blockassembly to a position whereby each brush member is transferred intosaid groove to uniformly retract said brush members from said slipringassembly, wherein said slots and said grooves are arcuate, and whereinsaid grooves are formed in the outer surface of said cylindrical member.4. Apparatus for transferring electrical current comprising a brushblock assembly; a plurality of brush members mounted with respect tosaid brush block assembly; a slipring assembly adapted to rotate withrespect to said brush block assembly in engagement with said brushmembers, said brush block assembly and said slipring assembly adapted tobe connected within a plurality of electric circuits; and a cylindricalmember disposed between said brush block assembly and said slipringassembly, said cylindrical member having a plurality of slots formedtherethrough for receiving said brush members, and a groove registeringwith each slot, said cylindrical member being rotatable wiTh respect tosaid brush block assembly to a position whereby each member istransferred into said groove to uniformly retract said brush membersfrom said slipring assembly, wherein the leading end of each groove istapered so as to permit a gradual retraction of said brush members. 5.Apparatus for transferring electrical current comprising a brush blockassembly; a plurality of brush members mounted with respect to saidbrush block assembly; a slipring assembly adapted to rotate with respectto said brush block assembly in engagement with said brush members, saidbrush block assembly and said slipring assembly adapted to be connectedwithin a plurality of electrical circuits; and a cylindrical memberdisposed between said brush block assembly and said slipring assembly,said cylindrical member having a plurality of slots formed therethroughfor receiving said brush members, and a groove registering with eachslot, said cylindrical member being rotatable with respect to said brushblock assembly to a position whereby each brush member is transferredinto said groove to uniformly retract said brush members from saidslipring assembly, wherein there are two rows of brush members mountedwith respect to said brush block assembly, and wherein said slots insaid cylindrical member are alternately formed in a diametricallyopposite position along said cylindrical member.
 6. Apparatus fortransferring electrical current comprising a brush block assembly; aplurality of brush members mounted with respect to said brush blockassembly; a slipring assembly adapted to rotate with respect to saidbrush block assembly in engagement with said brush members, said brushblock assembly and said slipring assembly adapted to be connected withina plurality of electrical circuits; and a cylindrical member disposedbetween said brush block assembly and said slipring assembly saidcylindrical member having a plurality of slots formed therethrough forreceiving said brush members, and a groove registering with each slot,said cylindrical member being rotatable with respect to said brush blockassembly to a position whereby each brush member is transferred intosaid groove to uniformly retract said brush members from said slipringassembly, wherein said slots and said grooves are arcuate, and whereinsaid grooves are formed in the outer surface of said cylindrical member.